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Time of India
7 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Could explore agreements to enhance production quality, elevate Kolhapuri chappals to international stage: Prada team tells Kolhapur collector
Kolhapur: A team of technical experts from Italian fashion brand Prada visited Chappal Line, renowned for its Kolhapuri chappal shops, on their second day in Kolhapur on Wednesday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Prada's technical team also met with Kolhapur district collector Amol Yedge. According to details released by the district administration, the delegation expressed that the company might explore agreements at various levels to enhance production quality and elevate footwear to the international stage in the future. "Any collaborations or steps forward would be communicated to the district administration and relevant industry and producer associations after decisions at the company's board meeting," the team told Yedge, as stated in the statement. During the meeting, Yedge provided comprehensive information on ongoing projects related to Kolhapuri chappals. He emphasised that Kolhapuri chappals are not only traditional Indian footwear with deep historical ties to Kolhapur, but also symbolise local artisans' skill and form part of the region's cultural heritage. He shared details about other traditional Kolhapuri items such as Kolhapuri saaj and Thushi jewellery. "This visit marks a significant step after recent controversy over cultural appropriation, with Prada now acknowledging the origins of the Kolhapuri chappal and exploring possibilities for ethical collaborations with local artisans," read the statement. Earlier, the experts interacted with shop operators and customers, assessing the quality of the footwear. The team was led by Paolo Tiveron, director of the men's technical and production department (footwear division). Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The team included Daniele Contu, pattern-making manager of the division, and two external consultants, Andrea Pollastrelli and Roberto Pollastrelli. Lalit Gandhi, president of the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, said: "We are hopeful that during the next visit, slated in Aug, deals will be made. We found that Prada wants to check whether the artisans can make the chappals of the quality and standard they desire. Not just Prada, other companies may also look for collaboration with the Kolhapuri chappal artisans."
Indian Express
7 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
After chappal row, Prada team lands in Kolhapur, meets craftspeople
A high-level team from the Italian luxury fashion house Prada visited the famous Chappal Galli of Kolhapur on Wednesday and interacted with shopkeepers on the footwear available there and how they were displayed, packaged and sold. The team also met Collector Amol Yedge to discuss the heritage of Kolhapuri sandals. 'The Prada team has been working in a professional way, observing every detail minutely and is serious about all the processes of making Kolhapuri footwear. This is the first time such a high-level team has visited Kolhapur. The team was impressed with the craftsmanship, but their standards are different from our handcrafted traditions, so we are waiting for their report on the visit,' Lalit Gandhi, president of the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture (MACCIA), said. Prada's visit comes in the wake of a global backlash after their Spring-Summer 2026 collection at Milan Fashion Week on June 22 saw models walk down in flat sandals that looked similar to Kolhapuri chappals. Since the fashion house did not give credit or acknowledge the Indian roots of the product that they had reportedly priced upward of Rs 1 lakh, it caused a storm of accusations of plagiarism and cultural misappropriation, as well as a PIL in the Bombay High Court. The Prada team had begun their visit to Kolhapur on Tuesday by spending time at five-six manufacturing facilities where they reviewed the making of Kolhapuri chappals and took some samples. On June 26, MACCIA had written to Patrizio Bertelli, chairman of the Prada Group, with a 'request for acknowledgement and ethical collaboration regarding traditional Kolhapuri footwear designs'. 'Kolhapuri chappals represent centuries-old craftsmanship rooted in the cultural fabric of Maharashtra, India. The products are not only symbolic of regional identity but also support the livelihoods of thousands of artisans and families in the Kolhapur region and surrounding districts,' said the letter signed by Gandhi. It also pointed out that the chappals had received a Geographical Index (GI) tag from the Indian government in 2019. In a reply from Lorenzo Bertelli, Prada Group Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, the company said, 'We acknowledge that the sandals featured in the recent Prada Men's 2026 Fashion Show are inspired by traditional Indian handcrafted footwear, with a centuries-old heritage. We deeply recognise the cultural significance of such Indian craftsmanship.' The company added that the entire collection was in the early stage of design development, and none of the pieces had been confirmed to be produced or commercialised. 'We are committed to responsible design practices, fostering cultural engagement, and opening a dialogue for meaningful exchange with local Indian artisan communities as we have done in the past in other collections to ensure the rightful recognition of their craft,' it added. On July 11, MACCIA and Prada held a video meeting, where the latter reiterated the design's heritage. 'Our aim was that the GI tag and the rights of the Kolhapuri sandal craft be protected, in which we were successful. It was at the meeting that Prada said that they would send two teams,' Gandhi said. 'The present visit is by the technical team that flew from Italy to Kolhapur. Based on their report, another team, with the corporate business head and others, will visit Mumbai in the first week of August and meet us,' he added. 'I would like Bertelli, the chairman, to also visit as this could open doors for the crafts of Maharashtra,' he further said. The other proposals for discussion were the formation of a joint working group of Prada, MACCIA and artisan bodies to ideate and drive long-term engagement models between the design house and artisan communities; co-branded artisan collections; and the setting up of Prada Artisan Excellence Lab-India to foster high-end design innovation and skill enhancement and a fair trade supply chain development. It was at the July 11 meeting that MACCIA introduced four more products to Prada: the silver payals (anklets) from Kolhapur, which also have a GI tag; a form of wax-filled gold jewellery that is awaiting a GI tag; Paithani saris; and garments with Warli art made by Adivasi women. 'Prada, in principle, positively responded to our suggestions and said that they would work on these crafts. Their jewellery and fashion teams will visit different sections of Maharashtra. If Prada collaborates with artisans on Paithani or other crafts, it would mean several opportunities,' Gandhi said. Dipanita Nath is interested in the climate crisis and sustainability. She has written extensively on social trends, heritage, theatre and startups. She has worked with major news organizations such as Hindustan Times, The Times of India and Mint. ... Read More
Time of India
05-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
One Day for Farmer initiative implemented in Kolhapur district
Kolhapur: The One Day for Farmer initiative was implemented in Kolhapur district on Saturday, with officials from various district administration departments spending the day with farmers to understand their problems. The initiative spread awareness on various govt schemes meant for farmers to the maximum number of farmers. Approximately 300 villages participated in the initiative, which was carried out in collaboration with the agriculture department, district administration, and the Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA). District collector Amol Yedge, along with officials from various departments, public representatives including sarpanchs, deputy sarpanchs, gram panchayat members, office-bearers, progressive farmers, farmers in Resource Bank, the Atma Farming Advisory Committee, and groups registered with the govt system participated. Activities such as Shivar Pheri, Sheti Shala, tree plantation, and discussions and guidance sessions reached a large number of district farmers, aiming to engage with the farming community. During the initiative, guardian minister Prakash Abitkar entered paddy fields at Radhanagari and planted seedlings in Anant Chougule's field while being drenched in rain. Abitkar sat with farmers, consuming zunka-bhakri and thecha, interacting with them, and learning about their farming challenges. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Esse novo alarme com câmera é quase gratuito em Campo Largo (consulte o preço) Alarmes Undo "Further activities will be implemented to increase crop production after taking information from this initiative," Abitkar said. Jalindar Pangare, the district agricultural officer, said, "Information about important schemes like PM Kisan, Farmer ID under AgriStack Scheme, Prime Minister Micro Food Processing Industries, Orchard Plantation under MGNREGA, Agricultural Mechanization Scheme, Integrated Horticulture Development Mission, Bhausaheb Phundkar Orchard Plantation, Late Gopinath Munde Farmers Accident Relief Grant, and other schemes of various departments were given to the farmers. "
Time of India
22-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Time of India
International Yoga Day celebrated with great enthusiasm across state
1 2 3 4 Kolhapur: International Yoga Day was celebrated across the state on Saturday with great zeal through various activities and yoga demonstrations. Yoga poses such as Tadasana, Vrikshasana, Bhujangasana, Vajrasana, and Ardha Halasana were performed, along with pranayama and meditation. In Kolhapur city, yoga sessions took place at schools, colleges, the university, parks in the city, govt offices, the collector's office, Rankala lake, and other locations. A special Yoga Day event called 'Times of Yoga' was organised jointly by The Times of India and Shantiniketan School on the school campus on Saturday morning. Hundreds of school students participated in the yoga session, performing several yoga poses on the occasion. "Yoga is not just a routine but an integral part of a healthy lifestyle. All citizens, especially students, should practice yoga regularly," said district collector Amol Yedge. The collector spoke at the programme held at Mahasainik Darbar Hall, Kasba Bawda, in collaboration with the administration, the district sports council, the district sports officer's office, My Bharat, the Central Communications Bureau (Maharashtra-Goa), and Patanjali Yogpeeth. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo On this occasion, the Common Yoga Protocol of the ministry of AYUSH and athletes from the district sports training centre presented yoga demonstrations. A 'Yoga-Sangam' programme was organised at Shivaji University on the occasion of the 11th International Yoga Day on Saturday. Rajya Sabha MP Dhananjay Mahadik, SUK Vice-Chancellor D T Shirke, and Pro Vice-Chancellor Pramod Patil attended the event along with hundreds of other yoga enthusiasts. "Yoga practice is essential for gaining positive energy, and in this regard, International Yoga Day, which started 11 years ago, is being celebrated with great enthusiasm in almost all countries. This is a matter of pride," said MP Dhananjay Mahadik. Meanwhile, Patanjali Yoga Samiti Kolhapur carried out Yog Sadhana activities at 250 different places in Kolhapur city and the district, including schools, colleges, and tehsil places. On behalf of BJP in Kolhapur, Shivaji Peth Dakshin Mandal, Patanjali Varg, and Khan Vihar Mitra Mandal, water yoga demonstrations were performed in the quarry adjacent to Rankala Lake on Saturday at 7.30 am. Kolhapur: International Yoga Day was celebrated across the state on Saturday with great zeal through various activities and yoga demonstrations. Yoga poses such as Tadasana, Vrikshasana, Bhujangasana, Vajrasana, and Ardha Halasana were performed, along with pranayama and meditation. In Kolhapur city, yoga sessions took place at schools, colleges, the university, parks in the city, govt offices, the collector's office, Rankala lake, and other locations. A special Yoga Day event called 'Times of Yoga' was organised jointly by The Times of India and Shantiniketan School on the school campus on Saturday morning. Hundreds of school students participated in the yoga session, performing several yoga poses on the occasion. "Yoga is not just a routine but an integral part of a healthy lifestyle. All citizens, especially students, should practice yoga regularly," said district collector Amol Yedge. The collector spoke at the programme held at Mahasainik Darbar Hall, Kasba Bawda, in collaboration with the administration, the district sports council, the district sports officer's office, My Bharat, the Central Communications Bureau (Maharashtra-Goa), and Patanjali Yogpeeth. On this occasion, the Common Yoga Protocol of the ministry of AYUSH and athletes from the district sports training centre presented yoga demonstrations. A 'Yoga-Sangam' programme was organised at Shivaji University on the occasion of the 11th International Yoga Day on Saturday. Rajya Sabha MP Dhananjay Mahadik, SUK Vice-Chancellor D T Shirke, and Pro Vice-Chancellor Pramod Patil attended the event along with hundreds of other yoga enthusiasts. "Yoga practice is essential for gaining positive energy, and in this regard, International Yoga Day, which started 11 years ago, is being celebrated with great enthusiasm in almost all countries. This is a matter of pride," said MP Dhananjay Mahadik. Meanwhile, Patanjali Yoga Samiti Kolhapur carried out Yog Sadhana activities at 250 different places in Kolhapur city and the district, including schools, colleges, and tehsil places. On behalf of BJP in Kolhapur, Shivaji Peth Dakshin Mandal, Patanjali Varg, and Khan Vihar Mitra Mandal, water yoga demonstrations were performed in the quarry adjacent to Rankala Lake on Saturday at 7.30 am.
Time of India
19-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Traffic overhaul in Kolhapur with plans of three new flyovers
Kolhapur: Kolhapur city has submitted proposals to the central government for the construction of three new flyover bridges. The move is aimed at significantly reducing traffic congestion within the city and along the Pune-Bengaluru NH 48, which passes through it. Kolhapur district collector Amol Yedge recently informed about the submission of these crucial proposals. The proposed flyovers include a connection from Sangli Phata (Shiroli Phata) to Uchagaon, and another from Tawade Hotel to Shivaji Bridge. Additionally, a branch from the Tawade Hotel to Shivaji Bridge will be constructed, extending specifically from Dabholkar Corner to the Pach Bangla area of Shahupuri. This particular branch is designed to bypass the traffic currently moving through the Parikh Bridge railway underpass, which acts as a vital link between the Central Bus Stand and the Shahupuri area of the city. Should these proposals receive approval, the construction of these bridges would mark a major infrastructure overhaul for Kolhapur. This would be the most significant development since the integrated road development project carried out around one-and-a-half decades ago. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Condado: Ecuatorianos: generen un segundo ingreso con Amazon CFD. InvestIQ Registrarse Undo That previous project involved widening 49 kilometers of roads within the city and the construction of Kolhapur's first flyover bridge along the old Pune-Bengaluru national highway that traverses the city. A private company was roped in by the National Highways Authority of India's (NHAI) Kolhapur division to draft the design and estimate the cost. According to the plan, Tawade Hotel to Shivaji Bridge flyover will be around 10 kilometres, Sangli Phata to Uchgaon will be four kilometres, and Dabholkar Corner to Shahupuri will be two kilometres.
